Forensic Science Honors Projects

First Quarter Project: Crime Case Presentation

You are to choose a crime and create a presentation on it. The presentation can be either a powerpoint, formal paper, Prezi, or even a video. The presentation should include the following information:

1. Description of the crime

  • What happened?
  • Who was involved?
  • Where did it happened? A
  • Other relevant information.

2. Background Info

  • Victim(s): Who were they? Why were they chosen? What was their niche?
  • Suspect(s): Who were they? Why were they chosen? What was their niche?
  • Investigator(s): Who were they (names)? What agency did the work for? How good of a job did they do in investigating the crime?

3. Evidence

  • What was it?
  • Where was it found?
  • How was it analyzed?
  • What did it mean to the case?

4. Summary

  • What happened in the end?
  • How was the case resolved?
  • Was there a trial?
  • Any key “turning points” in the trial?
  • What was the verdict?
  • What is the present status of the case and the suspect?

5. Works Cited/References page (Chicago style) (Citation Page Maker)(EasyBib.com)

  • Includes in-text citations – shows where in the paper the references were used
  • Includes the full references (not just a website)
  • Includes at least 4 references, two of which must be from a print source (not electronic)

Second Quarter: Forensic Science Video Project

Working in groups of 3-5 students, you are to create a crime scene video that demonstrates the processing of a crime scene and the subsequent analysis of the evidence. It should reflect the topics covered in this course and include:

  • The discovery of the crime that includes a body (10 pts)
  • Crime scene processing, including fingerprinting(15 pts)
  • Determination of the time of death (10 pts)
  • Analysis of at least 5 types of evidence (25 pts)
  • Definite conclusion (5 pts)
  • The story should follow logical and predictable steps of discovery (10 pts)

Other specifics

  • The film should be 10-30 minute in length. (5 pts)
  • Scripts, notes, and storyboard should be turned in as well (20 pts)
  • A log of time spent on the project will be turned in and will be used to determine the
  • It should include both video and audio
  • Can be created and edited using Movie Maker. This takes time so don’t wait until the last minute to do this.
  • May be able to work with the SciVis class to help you with filming and/or editing
  • Final video to be turned in on or before ___
  • There will be a popcorn viewing of each group’s video currently scheduled for TBA

Forensic Science Crime Study Rubric

Component / Excellent / Fair / Poor
Preparedness / Student is completely prepared and has obviously rehearsed. / The student is somewhat prepared, but it is clear that rehearsal was lacking. / Student does not seem at all prepared to present.
Required Elements
Description of crime
Background info
Evidence
Summary / All required elements are present and additional elements that add to the report (e.g., thoughtful comments, graphics) have been added. / All required elements are present. / Several required elements are missing.
Quality of Presentation / Presentation is highly effective at communicating student’s research project. Visually appealing and easy to read. / Presentation does not adequately describe the student’s research project in its entirety OR the presentation is difficult to view. / Student does not have a presentation and only talks to class.
Content Knowledge / Presentation illustrates an accurate and thorough understanding of crime. / Presentation illustrates a limited understanding of the crime. / Presentation does not illustrate any accurate understanding of the crime
Citations and References / Several reputable background sources were used and cited correctly. Material is translated into student's own words. Includes Reference page / A few background sources are used and cited correctly, but some are not reputable sources. Material is translated into student's own words. Includes Reference page/ / Material is directly copied rather than put into students own words and/or no references included.
NO GRADE

Student Name: Date submitted: Grade: _____

Forensic Science Video Project Rubric

Component / Exemplary / Satisfactory / Unacceptable
Introduction to the crime scene / Story was set up with a interesting and realistic introduction to the crime scene / Story had a confusing and/or unrealistic introduction to the crime scene / No set up for the crime scene was included. Story just went into evidence collection.
Crime scene processing / The crime scene shown to be adequately secured, recorded, and processed / The crime scene was partially processed but some key elements were missing / The crime scene as not adequately processed in a professional manner.
Evidence collection / Relevant evidence was shown to be correctly collected and packaged with a minimum of 5 items beyond fingerprints / Evidence was collected but was either not do so correctly or the minimum number of items was not shown to be collected / Evidence was not shown to be collected correctly and did not meet the minimum number of items
Time of death / A viable Post Mortem Interval was determined in the video with an explanation. / A PMI was mentioned in the video without an explanation / No PMI was mentioned in the video
Forensic Analysis / The forensic analysis of the evidence is shown and explained for at least 5 items.
Items of evidence:
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□ / The forensic analysis of the evidence was shown but not explained or was less than 5 items / The forensic analysis of the evidence was not shown or explained
Conclusion / Evidence is used to bring story to a logical and reasonable conclusion / Evidence is used to bring story to a conclusion but is confusing or unrealistic / No conclusion is included in the story and it just ends.
Video Production / Video is 10-30 minutes long and is creative and very well done / Video is 10-30 long but lacks creativity and/or quality / Video is either way to short or too long with poor creativity and quality
Pre-Production / All research, scripts, and story boards necessary for pre-production is turned in / Some research, scripts, and story boards necessary for pre-production is turned in / No research, scripts, and story boards necessary for pre-production is turned in
Team Work / Evidence that all members of the group made equal contributions to this video is obvious / Evidence that all members of the group made some but unequal contributions to this video is obvious / Evidence that only 1 member of the group contributed to this video is obvious

Group Members: Date Submitted:Project Grade: